The Setting-Religious Intolerance in Indonesia

The rise of global trends of intolerance within educational institutions has raised concerns about how tolerance is understood and fostered—if at all—among the education community. This issue is particularly salient in Indonesia, where diverse religious and cultural backgrounds create a unique educational landscape. This chapter explores various cases of intolerance observed in Indonesia, including among students at schools and universities, highlighting the pivotal future roles pre-service teachers play in shaping students’ attitudes. The teachers’ influence on students’ understanding and attitudes towards religious tolerance is crucial, especially given the prevalence of intolerance in educational settings. This chapter introduces a comprehensive manuscript that delves into this complex issue. The chapter’s structure is outlined, emphasising its focus on real-life cases from Indonesia, the role of pre-service teachers as future active mediators of religious tolerance, and the strategies employed to promote understanding among students. In summary, the chapter underscores the urgency of addressing intolerance issues within educational institutions, offering insights into practical approaches that educators, including pre-service teachers, can adopt to nurture tolerance and harmony among students from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.